Well Pharmacist Suspended After Repeated Theft and Consumption of Pharmacy Medicines Including Diazepam
Date of Decision: July 2, 2026
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- Between 14 August 2023 and 16 October 2023, while employed at Well Pharmacy in North Walsham, the registrant took and/or consumed medication from pharmacy stock, including: Aspirin; Naproxen; Sudafed; Diazepam; Dioctyl.
- The registrant’s actions were dishonest because: The registrant did not have permission or authority to take and/or consume the medication; The registrant knew they were not permitted to take and/or consume the medication; The registrant knew they did not have a valid prescription for Naproxen, Diazepam and/or Sudafed, which were prescription-only items.
- On or about 20 July 2024, the registrant received a caution from Norfolk Police for stealing 28 tablets of Diazepam 10mg from the pharmacy, contrary to section 1 of the Theft Act 1968.
- The registrant failed to declare the caution to the GPhC within seven days, as required by Rule 4(2)(b) of the General Pharmaceutical Council (Fitness to Practise and Disqualification etc. Rules) Order of Council 2010.
Outcome: 9-month suspension order with review
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 5 – Pharmacy professionals must use their professional judgement
- Standard 6 – Pharmacy professionals must behave in a professional manner
- Standard 9 – Pharmacy professionals must demonstrate leadership
Case Summary
Allegations
This GPhC Fitness to Practise case concerned a pharmacist who, while employed at a community pharmacy, dishonestly took and/or consumed medicines from pharmacy stock over a period of around two months. The medicines identified in the allegations were aspirin, naproxen, Sudafed, diazepam and Dioctyl. The case was particularly serious because some of the medicines involved were prescription-only medicines, and diazepam is a controlled drug with recognised risks of dependency, sedation, impaired judgement and misuse.
The registrant admitted all the factual allegations. The admitted conduct included taking medication without authority or permission, knowing that this was not permitted, and knowing that there was no valid prescription for naproxen, diazepam and/or Sudafed. The registrant also admitted receiving a police caution in relation to the theft of 28 diazepam 10mg tablets from the pharmacy and failing to notify the GPhC of that caution within the required seven-day period.
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- Full allegations considered by the GPhC
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Original Case Document
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